US10334090B2 - Electronic device - Google Patents

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US10334090B2
US10334090B2 US16/063,294 US201616063294A US10334090B2 US 10334090 B2 US10334090 B2 US 10334090B2 US 201616063294 A US201616063294 A US 201616063294A US 10334090 B2 US10334090 B2 US 10334090B2
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housing
hinge
magnetic body
electronic device
face
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US16/063,294
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US20180375976A1 (en
Inventor
Masayuki Kikuchi
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Sharp Corp
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Sharp Corp
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Assigned to SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KIKUCHI, MASAYUKI
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
    • H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
    • H04M1/0214—Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
    • H04M1/0216—Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
    • H04M1/0247—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings comprising more than two body parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H04M1/026—Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
    • H04M1/0266—Details of the structure or mounting of specific components for a display module assembly
    • H04M1/0268—Details of the structure or mounting of specific components for a display module assembly including a flexible display panel
    • H01L2251/5338—
    • H01L27/323—
    • H01L27/3244—
    • H01L51/5253—
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K2102/00—Constructional details relating to the organic devices covered by this subclass
    • H10K2102/301—Details of OLEDs
    • H10K2102/311—Flexible OLED
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K50/00—Organic light-emitting devices
    • H10K50/80—Constructional details
    • H10K50/84—Passivation; Containers; Encapsulations
    • H10K50/844—Encapsulations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K59/00—Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00
    • H10K59/10—OLED displays
    • H10K59/12—Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K59/00—Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00
    • H10K59/40—OLEDs integrated with touch screens
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10K—ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
    • H10K59/00—Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00
    • H10K59/80—Constructional details
    • H10K59/87—Passivation; Containers; Encapsulations
    • H10K59/873—Encapsulations

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to an electronic device having a display function.
  • PTL 1 discloses a display device that is foldable and provided with a display unit that is flexible and includes an organic electroluminescent (EL) element.
  • EL organic electroluminescent
  • the display device disclosed in PTL 1 requires, in a hinge section, a housing that includes a foldable portion as well as a member that restricts an angle of the foldable portion, resulting in the problem of a complex configuration.
  • An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge that is flexible and connects the first housing and the second housing, and a display panel that is continuously flexible.
  • the display panel includes a rear face that faces upper faces of the first housing and the second housing.
  • the first housing includes a first magnetic body.
  • the second housing includes a second magnetic body.
  • FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate a configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view in open mode
  • FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transition process from open mode to closed mode
  • FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view in closed mode
  • FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a display panel provided to the electronic device.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2A is a top view in open mode
  • FIG. 2B is a bottom view (back view) in open mode.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 3A is a side view in full screen mode
  • FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view in full screen mode.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 4A is a top view in full screen mode
  • FIG. 4B is a bottom view (back view) in full screen mode.
  • FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view in closed mode
  • FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of transition from closed mode to partial screen mode
  • FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view in partial screen mode.
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 6A is a top view in closed mode
  • FIG. 6B is a top view in partial screen mode.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate usage of the electronic device according to the second embodiment in a forward direction.
  • FIG. 8A is a side view
  • FIG. 8B is a top view.
  • FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate a method of use of the electronic device according to the second embodiment in a reverse direction.
  • FIG. 9A is a side view
  • FIGS. 9B to 9D are top views.
  • FIGS. 10A to 10C are perspective views illustrating a method of use of the electronic device according to the second embodiment in the reverse direction
  • FIG. 10D is a schematic view illustrating a transition process from the closed mode illustrated in FIG. 10A to the partial screen mode illustrated in FIG. 10C .
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a mode setup procedure of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a magnetic pole arrangement of magnets according to the first and second embodiments.
  • Direction X (a length direction of an electronic device), direction Y (a width direction of the electronic device), and direction Z (a thickness direction of the electronic device) described below are relative to the electronic device serving as standard when the electronic device is in full screen mode, partial screen mode, or closed mode. For example, when the electronic device is tilted with respect to a horizontal plane, direction X is also tilted.
  • FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate a configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view in open mode
  • FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transition process from open mode to closed mode
  • FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view in closed mode
  • FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a display panel provided to the electronic device.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2A is a top view in open mode
  • FIG. 2B is a bottom view (back view) in open mode.
  • an electronic device 10 is a high-performance mobile phone (a so-called smartphone), and includes a first housing and a second housing 15 A, 15 B, a hinge H that connects the first housing 15 A and the second housing 15 B, and a display panel 11 that is continuously flexible.
  • a high-performance mobile phone a so-called smartphone
  • the hinge H is a flexible hinge made from a material having flexibility, and examples of such a material include a rubber, a silicon, and a fabric. Note that a metal or a resin with a plurality of through holes or depression patterns formed therein, or a material obtained by layering such a metal or a resin with a rubber or a silicon may be used.
  • the first housing 15 A includes housing walls W 0 , W 1 in direction Y and direction Z
  • the second housing 15 B includes housing walls W 2 , W 3 in direction Y and direction Z
  • the housing walls W 0 , W 3 serve as edges of the electronic device 10 in direction X (the longitudinal direction of the electronic device 10 ).
  • an inner face of the housing wall W 1 (first housing wall) includes an inclined face Fa that forms an obtuse angle a with a bottom face Da of the first housing 15 A
  • an inner face of the housing wall W 2 (second housing wall) includes an inclined face Fb that forms an obtuse angle b with a bottom face Db of the second housing 15 B.
  • the hinge H is fixed by an adhesive or the like (not illustrated) to the inclined face Fa of the housing wall W 1 and the inclined face Fb of the housing wall W 2 , the inclined faces Fa, Fb being adjacent to the hinge H, and extends across the housing wall W 1 and the housing wall W 2 when in an open state.
  • a portion of the hinge H is positioned between the housing wall W 1 and the display panel 11
  • another portion of the hinge H is positioned between the housing wall W 2 and the display panel 11 .
  • an outer face of the housing wall W 1 is a vertical plane Ga that forms a perpendicular angle with the bottom face Da of the first housing 15 A
  • an outer face of the second housing W 2 is a vertical plane Gb that forms a perpendicular angle with the bottom face Db of the second housing 15 B, and these vertical planes Ga, Gb are adjacent, facing each other.
  • magnets M 0 to M 3 are provided correspondingly to the housing walls W 0 to W 3 of the first housing and the second housing 15 A, 15 B.
  • the magnets M 0 to M 3 each have a spherical shape or a cylindrical shape that extends in direction Y.
  • the magnet M 0 is provided on the display panel side near the housing wall W 0
  • the magnet M 3 is provided on the display panel side near the housing wall W 3
  • the magnet M 1 (first magnetic body) is provided on the bottom face side of the housing wall W 1
  • the magnet M 2 second magnetic body
  • magnetic poles are disposed side-by-side in direction Z with the display panel side of the magnet M 0 being pole S and the display panel side of the magnet M 3 being pole N. That is, the magnets M 0 , M 3 are disposed so that, when the hinge H is in a closed state ( FIG. 1C ), different magnetic poles face each other in direction Z. Further, in the magnets M 1 , M 2 , the magnetic poles are disposed side-by-side in direction X with the housing wall W 2 side of the magnet M 1 being pole N, and the housing wall W 1 side of the magnet M 2 being pole S. That is, the magnets M 1 , M 2 are disposed so that, when the hinge H is in an open state, different magnetic poles face each other in direction X.
  • the display panel 11 is provided so that a rear face R thereof (the face on the side opposite to a display face D) faces upper faces J of the first and the second housings 15 A and 15 B. Note that, to ensure a radius of curvature when the display panel is folded, a space SA is provided near the housing wall W 1 of the first housing 15 A, and a space SB is provided near the housing wall W 2 of the second housing 15 B.
  • the display panel 11 is a flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel and, as illustrated in FIG. 1D , is provided with a thin film transistor (TFT) array layer 3 , an OLED element layer 4 , a sealing layer 5 , and a function layer 6 , in that order, on a flexible substrate 2 .
  • the TFT array layer 3 includes a TFT, a signal line, and a positive electrode
  • the OLED element layer 4 includes an electrically active layer, a light emitting layer, and a negative electrode.
  • a plurality of pixels are formed by the TFT array layer 3 and the OLED element layer 4 .
  • the function layer 6 includes an optical film, a touch sensor sheet, and a protection film.
  • the mode changes to open mode where the first housing and the second housing 15 A, 15 B are disposed side-by-side in direction X, exposing the display face D.
  • the display face side and the back face side in open mode are as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B , respectively.
  • the mode changes to closed mode (refer to FIG. 1C ) where the first housing 15 A and the second housing 15 B overlap so that the housing wall W 0 matches the housing wall W 3 in relation to the position in direction X, and the display panel 11 is folded in two with the display face D stored on an inner side in its entirety (in the space between the first housing and the second housing 15 A, 15 B).
  • closed mode the radius of curvature of a bending portion of the display panel 11 is ensured by the spaces SA, SB provided to the first housing and the second housing 15 A, 15 B.
  • the housing wall W 1 of the first housing 15 A and the housing wall W 2 of the second housing 15 B are adjacent to each other, the flexible hinge H is fixed to the inner face sides (inclined faces Fa, Fb) of the housing walls W 1 , W 2 , and the open mode is maintained by the magnetic force in direction X that acts between the magnet M 1 provided to the first housing W 1 and the magnet M 2 provided to the second housing W 2 .
  • the first housing 15 A is rotated to the second housing 15 B side, bending the hinge H and causing the magnetic force in direction X between the magnets M 1 , M 2 to weaken, and the closed mode to be maintained by the magnetic force in direction Z of the magnets M 0 , M 3 that acts with the first housing and the second housing 15 A, 15 B overlapping.
  • a foldable screen is achieved using a simple configuration.
  • the flexible hinge H is fixed to the inclined faces that serve as the inner faces of the housing walls W 1 , W 2 , making the hinge H operate smoothly and facilitating an open/close action.
  • the radius of curvature of the bending portion of the display panel 11 is ensured by the spaces SA, SB provided to the first housing and the second housing 15 A, 15 B, making it possible to suppress the effects of the bending portion on the pixels.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 3A is a side view in full screen mode
  • FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view in full screen mode.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 4A is a top view in full screen mode
  • FIG. 4B is a bottom view (back view) in full screen mode.
  • the cross-sectional view of the electronic device is a cross-sectional view from a plane parallel to direction Z that includes a center line (parallel to direction X) of the display face.
  • the electronic device 10 includes first housings 15 a to third housings 15 c , a first hinge Hx that connects the first housing 15 a and the second housing 15 b , a second hinge Hy that connects the second housing 15 b and the third housing 15 c , and the display panel 11 that is continuously flexible (in FIG. 3A , gaps between the housings are largely drawn for convenience of explanation, but are actually substantially nonexistent).
  • the first hinge and the second hinge Hx, Hy are both flexible hinges made from a material having flexibility.
  • the first housing 15 a includes a housing wall AS in direction X and direction Z, and housing walls w 0 , w 1 in direction Y and direction Z;
  • the second housing 15 b includes a housing wall BS in direction X and direction Z, and housing walls w 2 , w 3 in direction Y and direction Z;
  • the third housing 15 c includes a housing wall CS in direction X and direction Z, and housing walls w 4 , w 5 in direction Y and direction Z.
  • the housing wall w 0 is an edge on the first housing 15 a side of the electronic device 10
  • the housing wall w 5 is an edge on the third housing 15 c side of the electronic device 10 .
  • the first hinge Hx is fixed to inner face sides of the housing walls w 1 , w 2 (first housing wall and second housing wall) adjacent thereto, and the second hinge Hy is fixed to inner face sides of the housing walls w 3 , w 4 (third housing wall and fourth housing wall) adjacent thereto. That is, a portion of the first hinge Hx is positioned between the housing wall w 1 and the display panel 11 , and another portion of the first hinge Hx is positioned between the housing wall w 2 and the display panel 11 . Further, a portion of the second hinge Hy is positioned between the housing wall w 3 and the display panel 11 , and another portion of the second hinge Hy is positioned between the housing wall w 4 and the display panel 11 .
  • the sizes (lengths) in direction X are such that a length Lb of the second housing 15 b ⁇ a length La of the first housing 15 a ⁇ a length Lc of the third housing 15 c .
  • the length Lc of the third housing 15 c is equal (substantially equal) to the sum of the lengths of the first housing 15 a and the second housing 15 b .
  • the first housings 15 a to the third housings 15 c are equal in size in direction Y (width direction) and in direction Z (thickness).
  • the display panel 11 is provided so that a rear face thereof (the face on the side opposite to the display face D) faces upper faces of the first the first housings 15 a to the third housings 15 c .
  • a space Sa is provided near the housing wall w 1 of the first housing 15 a
  • a space Sc is provided near a housing wall w 4 of the third housing 15 c
  • an interior of the second housing 15 b is established as a space Sb.
  • the mode changes to full screen mode where the first housings 15 a to the third housings 15 c are disposed side-by-side in direction X, exposing the display face D in its entirety.
  • the display face side and the back face side in full screen mode are as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B , respectively.
  • a lens CL for image taking is provided on a bottom face of the third housing 15 a (back face of the electronic device 10 ), near the housing wall w 0 .
  • FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view in closed mode
  • FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transition process from closed mode to partial screen mode
  • FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view in partial screen mode.
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the configuration of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 6A is a top view in closed mode
  • FIG. 6B is a top view in partial screen mode.
  • the cross-sectional view of the electronic device is a cross-sectional view from a plane parallel to direction Z that includes a center line (parallel to direction X) of the display face.
  • the mode changes to partial screen mode where the second and the third housings 15 b , 15 c disposed side-by-side in direction X and the first housing 15 a overlap so that the housing wall w 0 is between the housing walls w 4 , w 5 in relation to the position in direction X, exposing a partial screen PS, which is a portion of the display face (refer to FIG. 6B ).
  • the partial screen PS overlaps with a portion close to the housing wall w 5 of the third housing 15 c .
  • the radius of curvature of the bending portion of the display panel 11 is ensured by the spaces Sa, Sb provided to the first and the second housings 15 a , 15 b , as illustrated in FIG. 5C .
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic device according to the second embodiment.
  • the electronic device 10 includes a display device 20 , a communication portion 21 , an image taking portion 22 , a sound portion 23 , a mode detecting portion 24 , a notification portion 25 , a control portion 26 , and a battery 27 .
  • the display device 20 includes the display panel 11 , a driver 13 that drives the display panel 11 , and a display controller 12 that controls the driver 13 and displays images.
  • the communication portion 21 includes a transceiver circuit, and sends and receives various data.
  • the image taking portion 22 includes a lens and an image sensor, and records images.
  • the sound portion 23 includes a speaker and an audio sensor, and outputs and records sounds.
  • the mode detecting portion 24 includes a tilt sensor 24 k that detects a tilt of the electronic device 10 , a first open/closed sensor 24 f that detects the open/closed state of the first hinge Hx in FIGS. 3A and 3B , and a second open/closed sensor 24 s that detects the open/closed state of the second hinge Hy in FIGS. 3A and 3B , and detects a mode (state) of the electronic device 10 .
  • the notification portion 25 includes a light emitting element such as an LED, and notifies (indicates) information to the user in closed mode by an emitted color, blinking pattern, and the like.
  • the control portion 26 includes a processor and a memory, and controls these by exchanging signals and data between the display device 20 and each of the portions 21 to 25 .
  • the battery 27 supplies power to the display device 20 and each of the portions 21 to 26 in the electronic device. Note that the display device 20 , each of the portions 21 to 26 , and the battery 27 may be configured so that at least a portion of the components are stored in the first housings 15 a to the third housings 15 c in FIGS. 3A and 3B .
  • magnets m 0 to m 5 are provided correspondingly to the housing walls w 0 to w 5 of the first to the third housings 15 a to 15 c . That is, the magnet m 0 is provided to the display panel side near the housing wall w 0 , the magnet m 5 is provided to the display panel side near the housing wall w 5 , the magnet m 1 (first magnetic body) is provided to the bottom face side of the housing wall w 1 , the magnet m 2 (second magnetic body) is provided to the bottom face side of the housing wall w 2 , the magnet m 3 (third magnetic body) is provided to the bottom face side of the housing wall w 3 , and the magnet m 5 (fourth magnetic body) is provided to the bottom face side of the housing wall w 4 . Further, a magnet m 6 is provided to the third housing 15 c in a position separated by a certain distance (a value corresponding to the size of the portion PS of the display face in direction
  • magnetic poles are disposed side-by-side in direction Z with the display panel side of the magnet m 0 being pole S and the display panel sides of the magnets m 5 , m 6 being pole N. Further, in the magnets m 1 to m 4 , the magnetic poles are disposed side-by-side in direction X with, for example, the housing wall w 2 side of the magnet m 1 being pole S, the housing wall w 1 side of the magnet m 2 being pole N, the housing wall w 4 side of the magnet m 3 being pole S, and the housing wall w 3 side of the magnet m 4 being pole N.
  • the state of the first to the third housings 15 a to 15 c disposed side-by-side in direction X is maintained by a magnetic force in direction X produced between the magnets m 1 , m 2 and a magnetic force in direction X produced between the magnets m 3 , m 4 .
  • the state of the first housing and the second housing 15 a , 15 b , disposed side-by-side in direction X overlapping with the third housing 15 c so that the housing wall w 0 matches the housing wall w 5 in relation to the position in direction X is maintained by the magnetic force of the magnets m 1 , m 2 in direction X and a magnetic force in direction Z produced between the magnets m 0 , m 5 .
  • the state of the first housing and the second housing 15 a , 15 b disposed side-by-side in direction X overlapping with the third housing 15 c so that the housing wall w 0 is between the housing walls w 4 , w 5 in relation to the position in direction X is maintained by the magnetic force in direction X produced between the magnets m 3 , m 4 and a magnetic force in direction Z produced between the magnets m 0 , m 6 .
  • the first open/closed sensor 24 f in FIG. 7 is a photosensor that includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the open/closed state of the first hinge Hx with the light emitting element provided to one of the housing walls w 1 , w 2 and the light receiving element provided to the other. That is, the first open/closed sensor 24 f transmits to the control portion 26 an ON signal indicating that the housing walls w 1 , w 2 are close to each other as in FIG. 3B , causing the control portion 26 to determine that the first hinge Hx is in an open state, and transmits to the control portion 26 an OFF signal indicating that the housing walls w 1 , w 2 are separated as in FIG. 5C , causing the control portion 26 to determine that the first hinge Hx is in a closed state.
  • the second open/closed sensor 24 s in FIG. 7 is a photosensor that includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the open/closed state of the second hinge Hy with the light emitting element provided to one of the housing walls w 3 , w 4 and the light receiving element provided to the other. That is, the second open/closed sensor 24 s transmits to the control portion 26 an ON signal indicating that the housing walls w 3 , w 4 are close to each other as in FIG. 3B , causing the control portion 26 to determine that the second hinge Hy is in an open state, and transmits an OFF signal to the control portion 26 indicating that the housing walls w 3 , w 4 are separated as in FIG. 5A , causing the control portion 26 to determine that the second hinge Hy is in a closed state.
  • the first and the second open/closed sensors 24 f , 24 s may be magnetic sensors.
  • the first open/closed sensor 24 f provided to the first hinge Hx transmits to the control portion 26 an ON signal indicating the magnetic state in FIG. 3B , causing the control portion 26 to determine that the first hinge Hx is in an open state, and transmits to the control portion 26 an OFF signal indicating the magnetic state in FIG. 5C , causing the control portion 26 to determine that the first hinge Hx is in a closed state.
  • the second open/closed sensor 24 s provided to the second hinge Hy transmits to the control portion 26 an ON signal indicating the magnetic state in FIG.
  • the tilt sensor 24 k in FIG. 7 outputs a forward direction signal to the control portion 26 when the electronic device 10 is in a horizontal state or a state where the housing wall w 5 , serving as an edge on the third housing 15 c side, is on the vertically downward side, and outputs a reverse direction signal when the electronic device 10 is in a state where the housing wall w 5 , serving as an edge on the third housing 15 c side, is on the vertically upward side.
  • FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate the electronic device during use in the forward direction.
  • FIG. 8A is a side view
  • FIGS. 8B to 8D are top views
  • FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view and a top view
  • FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view and a top view.
  • the tilt sensor 24 k transmits the forward direction signal to the control portion 26 , causing the control portion 26 to determine that the electronic device is in the forward direction and display the full screen with the housing wall w 5 side set as the lower side with respect to the display device 20 (refer to FIG. 8B ).
  • the user can set the mode to closed mode in FIG. 8C by rotating the first housing 15 a and the second housing 15 b with the second hinge Hy serving as the axis. Furthermore, from the closed mode in FIG. 8C , the user can set the mode to the partial screen mode in FIG. 8D and check the partial screen PS (disposed between the housing wall w 0 and the housing wall w 5 in a top view) exposed on the device lower side by sliding (obliquely upward) the first housing 15 a in direction X 1 (from the housing wall w 5 toward the second hinge Hy).
  • the control portion 26 receives the forward direction signal from the tilt sensor 24 k and displays a partial screen (displays the partial screen PS only) with the housing wall w 5 side set as the lower side with respect to the display device 20 .
  • FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate the electronic device during use in direction.
  • FIG. 9A is a side view
  • FIGS. 9B to 9D are top views
  • FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view and a top view
  • FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view and a top view.
  • the tilt sensor 24 k transmits the reverse direction signal to the control portion 26 , causing the control portion 26 to determine that the electronic device is in the reverse direction and display the full screen with the housing wall w 5 side set as the upper side with respect to the display device 20 (refer to FIG. 9B ).
  • the user can set the mode to closed mode in FIG. 9C by rotating the first housing 15 a and the second housing 15 b with the second hinge Hy serving as the axis. Furthermore, from the closed mode in FIG. 9C , the user can set the mode to the partial screen mode in FIG. 9D and check the partial screen PS (disposed between the housing wall w 0 and the housing wall w 5 in a top view) exposed on the device upper side by sliding (obliquely downward) the first housing 15 a in direction X 1 (from the housing wall w 5 toward the second hinge Hy).
  • the control portion 26 receives the reverse direction signal from the tilt sensor 24 k and displays a partial screen (displays the partial screen PS only) with the housing wall w 5 side set as the upper side with respect to the display device 20 .
  • FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate a perspective view of a method of use of the electronic device in the reverse direction and FIG. 10D illustrates a transition (slide) process from the closed mode illustrated in FIG. 10A to the partial screen mode illustrated in FIG. 10C .
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a mode setup procedure of the electronic device.
  • the control portion 26 causes the display panel 11 to be hidden in its entirety.
  • closed mode as illustrated in FIG. 6A , the one portion area LX of the bottom face of the first housing 15 a emits light, notifying the user accordingly.
  • the control portion 26 determines whether the second open/closed sensor 24 s is outputting an ON signal in step S 1 and, in a case where it is YES in step S 1 , determines whether the first open/closed sensor 24 f is outputting an ON signal in step S 2 . In a case where it is YES in step S 2 , the control portion 26 determines whether the output of the tilt sensor 24 k is a forward direction signal (the electronic device 10 is in a horizontal state or a state where the housing wall w 5 serving as an edge on the third housing 15 c side is set as the vertically downward side) in step S 3 , and starts in full screen mode in the forward direction in FIG.
  • step S 3 the electronic device 10 is set to full screen mode and the full screen is displayed on the display panel 11 (the pixels corresponding to the full screen are driven).
  • step S 2 the control portion 26 determines whether the output of the tilt sensor 24 k is a forward direction signal (the electronic device 10 is in a horizontal state or a state where the housing wall w 5 serving as an edge on the third housing 15 c side is set as the vertically downward side) in step S 6 , and starts in partial screen mode in the forward direction in FIG. 8D in a case where it is YES in step S 6 , or starts in partial screen mode in the reverse direction in FIG. 9D in a case where it is NO (the electronic device 10 is in a state where the housing wall w 5 is set as the vertically upward side) in step S 6 .
  • the electronic device 10 is set to partial screen mode and the display panel 11 is partially displayed (only the pixels corresponding to the partial screen PS are driven).
  • FIG. 11 describes when startup is performed in full screen mode or partial screen mode from closed mode
  • the setting is switched to partial screen mode when the first open/closed sensor 24 f outputs an OFF signal after the mode is set to full screen mode, and to closed mode when the second open/closed sensor 24 s outputs an OFF signal after the mode is set to full screen mode.
  • the setting is switched to full screen mode when the first open/closed sensor 24 f outputs an ON signal after the mode is set to partial screen mode, and to closed mode when the second open/closed sensor 24 s outputs an OFF signal after the mode is set to partial screen mode.
  • each step in FIG. 11 is realized by, for example, the processor of the control portion 26 executing a program stored in memory.
  • the partial screen mode (refer to FIGS. 8D and 9D ) made available as described above, when checking a portion of the display face (the partial screen PS) is sufficient, that is, when the information required by the user can be displayed on the partial screen PS, the user does not have to open the display face in its entirety, resulting in enhanced convenience for the user.
  • the housing wall w 1 of the first housing 15 a and the housing wall w 2 of the second housing 15 b are adjacent to each other
  • the housing wall w 3 of the second housing 15 b and the housing wall w 4 of the third housing 15 c are adjacent to each other
  • the flexible first hinge Hx is fixed to the inner face sides (inclined faces) of the housing walls w 3 , w 4
  • the full screen mode is maintained by the magnetic force in direction X that acts between the magnet m 1 provided to the housing wall w 1 and the magnet m 2 provided to the housing wall w 2
  • the magnetic force in direction X that acts between the magnet m 3 provided to the housing wall w 3 and the magnet 4 provided to the housing wall w 4 .
  • closed mode is maintained by the magnetic force in direction X that acts between the magnet m 1 provided to the housing wall w 1 and the magnet m 2 provided to the housing wall w 2 , and the magnetic force in direction Z of the magnets m 0 , m 5 that acts with the first housing and the third housing 15 a , 15 c overlapping. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5A , closed mode is maintained by the magnetic force in direction X that acts between the magnet m 1 provided to the housing wall w 1 and the magnet m 2 provided to the housing wall w 2 , and the magnetic force in direction Z of the magnets m 0 , m 5 that acts with the first housing and the third housing 15 a , 15 c overlapping. Then, as illustrated in FIG.
  • partial screen mode is maintained by the magnetic force in direction X that acts between the magnet m 3 provided to the housing wall w 3 and the magnet m 4 provided to the housing wall w 4 , and the magnetic force in direction Z of the magnets m 0 , m 6 that acts with the first housing and the third housing 15 a , 15 c overlapping.
  • three modes can be achieved with a simple configuration.
  • the flexible first hinge Hx is fixed to the inclined faces serving as the inner face sides of the housing walls w 1 , w 2
  • the flexible second hinge Hy is fixed to the inclined faces serving as the inner face sides of the housing walls w 3 , w 4 , making it possible to switch modes by a smooth slide operation such as illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10D .
  • the magnet M 1 (first magnetic body) and the magnet M 2 (second magnetic body) may be configured as magnets Mx, My in FIG. 12 .
  • the magnets Mx, My are each configured with single magnets, having magnetic poles (N/S) disposed side-by-side in direction X, disposed side-by-side in direction Y while alternating the magnetic poles, and the magnet Mx and the magnet My are adjacent to each other so that different magnetic poles face each other in direction X.
  • the magnet m 1 (first magnetic body) and the magnet m 2 (second magnetic body) of the second embodiment may be configured as the magnets Mx, My in FIG. 12
  • the magnet m 3 (third magnetic body) and the magnet m 4 (fourth magnetic body) of the second embodiment may be configured as the magnets Mx, My in FIG. 12 .
  • the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As long as the required magnetic forces are produced, a magnetic body that is not a magnet (iron, nickel, etc.) may be used as one of the two magnets.
  • An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge that is flexible and connects the first housing and the second housing, and a display panel that is continuously flexible.
  • the display panel includes a rear face that faces upper faces of the first housing and the second housing.
  • the first housing includes a first magnetic body.
  • the second housing includes a second magnetic body.
  • the first housing further includes a first housing wall
  • the second housing further includes a second housing wall
  • the first housing wall and the second housing wall are adjacent to each other, and the hinge extends across the first housing wall and the second housing wall when in the open state.
  • the hinge H includes a portion thereof positioned between the first housing wall and the display panel, and another portion thereof positioned between the second housing wall and the display panel.
  • the first magnetic body is provided to the first housing wall, and the second magnetic body is provided to the second housing wall.
  • the first housing wall includes on an inner face thereof an inclined face that forms an obtuse angle with a bottom face of the first housing
  • the second housing wall includes on an inner face thereof an inclined face that forms an obtuse angle with a bottom face of the second housing
  • the hinge overlaps with the inclined faces of the first and the second housing walls.
  • the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body are magnets and are disposed so that, when the hinge is in an open state, different magnetic poles face each other in the first direction.
  • the first housing and the second housing each include a space for storing a bending portion of the display panel in an interior thereof when the hinge is in a closed state.
  • the electronic device further includes a magnetic sensor that detects an open/closed state of the hinge on the basis of a change in a magnetic state caused by changes in position of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body.
  • a magnetic force is produced in a normal direction of the display panel between a magnetic body other than the first magnetic body provided to the first housing, and a magnetic body other than the second magnetic body provided to the second housing.
  • the electronic device further includes a third housing, and a second hinge that is flexible and connects the second housing and the third housing.
  • the hinge that connects the first housing and the second housing serves as a first hinge
  • the rear face of the display panel faces the third housing
  • the second housing further includes a third magnetic body
  • the third housing includes a fourth magnetic body.
  • the first to the third housings are disposed side-by-side in a first direction, exposing a display face in its entirety, when the first hinge and the second hinge are set to open states.
  • the third housing is larger in size in the first direction than the first housing and the second housing, exposing a portion of the display face when the first hinge and the second hinge are set to a closed state and an open state, respectively.
  • a magnetic force is produced in a normal direction of the display panel between a magnetic body other than the first magnetic body provided to the first housing, and a magnetic body other than the fourth magnetic body provided to the third housing.
  • the display face is stored in its entirety by setting the first hinge to an open state and the second hinge to a closed state.
  • a portion of the display face is exposed by sliding the first housing in the first direction.
  • the display panel includes an OLED panel.
  • the electronic device further includes a communication function.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
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